This post was written by Julie Curtis, 2013 Mono Lake Intern.
At the beginning of every South Tufa tour I always encourage visitors to ask questions. Occasionally, this will generate questions that even with extensive amounts of training, it is likely no Mono Lake Committee staff would be prepared to answer! After discussing the nesting habits of California Gulls during a 10:00am tour this morning, a young boy was inspired to inquire whether or not California Gulls are capable of love.
Eighty-five percent of the gull population in California comes to Mono Lake to nest out on the islands safe from predators. As well as taking advantage of that protection, the gulls also capitalize on the lake’s vast amounts of brine shrimp and alkali flies, which make it a culinary haven for birds. Each year, the gulls return to the same island, in the same nest; therefore, with the same mate. So does that mean those two gulls are in love with one another?
Since no research has been done on the topic, I told the boy that it is up to him to decide. I mean, who am I to crush a young boy’s dreams of a California Gull romance? And after all, “Mono Lake is for Lovers.”
As South Tufa tours continue, so do the questions … check back here on the Mono-logue for more Question of the Week posts!